Anna McMurtie of Wentworth Travel calls on government to save industry
The pandemic has encouraged many of us to eat and shop local. Now Wentworth Travel’s Anna McMurtie wants us travel local too – including by booking with your local agent.
Wentworth Courier
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When Wentworth Travel’s Anna McMurtie sees a shut border she doesn’t just see a lost opportunity for a holiday.
She sees her 13 staff trying to pay their mortgages on JobKeeper.
She sees families deprived of the educational benefit of experiencing another way of life.
She sees the chance to learn about another community or culture slip away.
“Travel is about so much more than just going on a holiday,” Ms McMurtie said.
The Wentworth Travel managing director was disappointed the federal budget didn’t contain a package specifically for travel agents for who she says business has plummeted by almost 100 per cent.
“We do need more support from government. We need to be compensated because while JobKeeper has been absolutely fantastic in that it has helped keep our staff together and collaborative as a team, we also have fixed costs like rent and telecommunication.
“The costs of running a business just do not go away.”
Wentworth Travel was founded 35 years ago by Ms McMurtie’s mother Beverley Cohen who has seen nothing like this in her decades in the industry.
The Double Bay based family run business is calling on the government to give them certainty going forward with regards to the borders.
“We need warning. We had to cancel the bookings we did have in July because of course in the winter time everyone was wanting to go to Queensland. We did all this work for no money at all.”
Wentworth Travel has a range of regional NSW self drive tours available now.
“The clients who have already done the self drive tours absolutely loved it and can’t wait for us to plan their next adventure,” Ms McMurtie said.
“We advise you on not just where to go and stay but where to eat and what to see.”